John Richard Crowe

John Richard Crowe, of Sharpsburg, Maryland (Formerly of Hagerstown, Maryland) passed away peacefully on October 6, 2018 at his home after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Born April 16, 1925 in Magnolia, Ohio he was the son of the late Francis Patrick and Agnes Thome Crowe. He was a 1943 graduate of Magnolia High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943-1946. He attended Xavier University for two years and graduated from the University of Detroit in 1951 with a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was elected to the Pi Tau Sigma, National Mechanical Engineering Honor Society in 1950. While in college he co-oped at Worthington P & M Corp. in Buffalo, NY, from 1951-1962. He worked as a senior project engineer for General Motors Corp. at their Cleveland Diesel Engine Division in Cleveland, Ohio and the Electro-Motive Division in LaGrange, IL. He moved to Hagerstown in 1962 to accept a supervisory position at Mack Trucks Engineering Department. In 1969 he was awarded a U.S. Patent for a Mack diesel engine component which corrected a major warranty problem. He was a member of the engineering management team that developed the famous Mack Maxidyne Engine. During his career he enjoyed over 35 years of challenging diesel engine development and testing. In addition to his regular departmental responsibilities he was requested to investigate a number of engine problems for customers' in the field. He retired from Mack Trucks,Inc. in 1986 after 25 years of service, in the position of Chief Engineer of the Engine Development Lab. He was a member of the Society of Automobile Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for 62 years.

He was a member of Fountain Head Country Club for 49 years and served on the Board of Directors. He was the Past President of the Boy's Club of Washington County and of the Mack Toastmaster's club. He was also a member of the Morris Frock , Post 42, American Legion , the Elk's Lodge 378 and the Mack Golden Bulldogs.

He enjoyed playing many competitive sports, such as golf, tennis, skiing and swimming. He was one of the original members of the Little Heiskell Ski Club, a member of the original run for fun group and at the age of 48, completed the JFK 50 Mile Hike/Run in about 12 3/4 hours. After retiring he did extensive family genealogy research and along with his loving wife, Betty, wintered in Arizona, cruised and toured Europe with their friends.

He is survived by his Step-Daughter and caregiver, Catherine Swartz and her husband, Thomas of Sharpsburg, MD., a son, the Reverend Dr. John M. Crowe and his wife Donna of Greenville, NC, two Grandsons, David Crowe of Bloomington, IN and James Crowe of Chicago, IL, a Step-Son, Wayne S. Crider, Jr.and his wife Deana of Falling Waters, WV, a brother, Patrick Crowe of Dover, OH and many Nieces and Nephews. He was very appreciative and proud of his close knit Irish-German Catholic Family. he is also survived by his wonderful caregiver's who not only cared for him but loved him, Bobbie Nave of Hagerstown, MD, Charlene Kane, of Sharpsburg, MD, Patricia Donegan, of Hagerstown, MD, Deborah Pigeon, of Falling Waters, WV and Charleatta Black, of Kearneysville, WV. (THANK YOU)!

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Betty J. Neibert Crowe, five brothers (Austin, James, Thomas, Paul and Michael) and two sisters (Joan Hoffman and Jean Owens) all of Ohio. It was his wish to donate his body to the Anatomy Board of Maryland for medical education and research.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to be made to Hospice of Washington County, Maryland. A special thank you to John's Hospice Team (Rose, Anna, Lavinia and Pastor John). They became family.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 19, 2018. Visitation at 12 noon, service at 1:00 P.M. and luncheon at 2 P.M. at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, MD with Chaplain John Sumpter officiating.